5, 5, 2022

Causes of Non-Healing Ulcers & Wounds
Gallery

Causes of Non-Healing Ulcers & Wounds

LJVascular2022-04-28T17:24:16-07:00

Non-healing ulcers & wounds do not follow the usual healing process and are referred to as chronic wounds should they persist beyond 3 weeks. Such wounds can be a heavy burden to live with for anyone. Still, the board-certified vascular surgeons and specialists at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering effective treatment and management solutions to all patients so they may resume a healthy, productive, and pain-free life.

Types of Non-Healing Ulcers

In general, patients will present with one of three categories of non healing ulcers & wounds, with these categories being broadly defined by the major causative factors allowing for their development. These are:

Arterial or Venous Ulcers

These are found to account for between 70% up to 90% of non-healing wounds or non-healing ulcers. Mostly occurring in elderly patients, they are believed to come about as a result of a failure of the valves in a person’s blood vessels of both arteries and veins. These valves are responsible for preventing the backflow of blood as it passes within them. The consequent outcome is a lack of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood from reaching the affected tissues and sets up the conditions favoring non-healing wounds.

Pressure Ulcers

These are ulcers that are brought about by the restriction of blood flow to certain regions of the body due to the persistent and prolonged application of pressure upon them. It is mostly encountered among patients with full or partial paralysis and those who are bedridden for extended periods.

Diabetic Ulcers

These are also highly prevalent chronic wounds, and are on the increase among patients owing to the ever-increasing cases of diabetes among the population. In fact, the prevalence of chronic wounds among diabetics makes this demographic 15% more likely to have to undergo limb amputation as a complication of the condition.

The causes of non healing ulcers & wounds:

The underlying factors contributing to the risk of developing a non-healing ulcer or wound are widely varied. What they have in common is their ability to interfere with the way the body normally functions with regard to wounds.

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

–Circulatory System Issues

–Underlying Health Conditions

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

Non healing ulcers & wounds are prevalent in people living with certain circulatory ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, alcoholism, etc. In a healthy person, the nerves will send signals to the brain whenever pain or discomfort is experienced in any body tissues. Neuropathy makes this system non-functional; tissue can be damaged without warning signals being sent to the brain. This will prompt the person to change position or remove the object, causing injury. Over time, the affected area might see the development of an ulcer.

Circulatory System Issues

A person’s circulatory system is responsible for delivering blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues in the body that need it. Without it, tissues will begin to die. Due to their extremity (distance from the heart) and the effect of gravity, a person’s feet will often be the first problem area for a person with an impaired circulatory system. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a particularly culpable condition in this instance as it may lead to numbness, skin discoloration, severe pain, ulcers, or even the patient’s demise if left unchecked.

Underlying Health Conditions

The formation of non-healing ulcers will indicate that an advanced stage of certain conditions has been reached in a patient. These conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure, high cholesterol, or peripheral artery disease (PAD). These conditions contribute to the formation of ulcers by causing ischemia, or the interruption of oxygenated blood to all parts of the body, or by damaging the nerves in the wound areas.

Contributing Lifestyle Habits

Some various habits and lifestyles will place patients at a heightened risk of developing non-healing ulcers. Smoking, for instance, has the effect of narrowing the vessels carrying blood to body tissues, thus increasing one’s chances of developing ulcers. A sedentary lifestyle involving little to no active movement will also carry the risk of encouraging ulcer development due to the constant pressure applied to certain tissues. Old age is also a factor here, as our skins will gradually lose their ability to repair themselves as quickly and efficiently as they once did.

Causes of Non-Healing Ulcers & WoundsLJVascular2022-04-28T17:24:16-07:00

What are Non Healing Ulcers & Wounds?
Gallery

What are Non Healing Ulcers & Wounds?

LJVascular2022-04-28T17:17:13-07:00

Non-Healing Ulcers & Wounds

We might all be familiar with non healing ulcers & wounds in a general manner, but certain types of ulcers behave quite differently due to various contributing factors. These are non healing ulcers or non healing wounds, and if not treated with care and in good time, such wounds can pose a serious risk to the patient’s health. Severe cases may lead to amputation of the affected limbs or loss of life in the most extreme circumstances. The nonhealing ulcers cases we treat here at La Jolla Vein & Vascular fall under peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and a subcategory of arterial disease.

Non-healing wounds or ulcers do not follow the usual healing process and are referred to as chronic wounds should they persist beyond 3 weeks. Such wounds can be a heavy burden to live with for anyone. Still, the board-certified vascular surgeons and specialists at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering effective treatment and management solutions to all patients so they may resume a healthy, productive, and pain-free life.

Types of Non-Healing Ulcers

In general, patients will present with one of three categories of non-healing ulcers, with these categories being broadly defined by the major causative factors allowing for their development. These are:

Arterial or Venous Ulcers

Pressure Ulcers

Diabetic Ulcers

The high amputation rate among diabetics is attributable, in part, to the neuropathic effects of the ailment. Neuropathy leads to a lack of pain perception in the affected individual, meaning that they may be entirely unaware of minor wounds on their feet and legs in good time, allowing for their infection or repeat injury. It is also made more likely by the immunosuppressive effects of the condition, which makes the patient more vulnerable to infection.

What are Non Healing Ulcers & Wounds?LJVascular2022-04-28T17:17:13-07:00

Varicose Veins: Patient Transformations Part 2
Gallery

Varicose Veins: Patient Transformations Part 2

LJVascular2022-04-28T14:52:04-07:00

What are varicose veins?

Varicose Veins are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. They are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body, and are very common.

Varicose veins are caused by leaky vein valves, which allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. They can be an isolated finding, but the majority of the time, they are caused by underlying venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms can include:

Aching, tenderness
Heaviness, fatigue
General restlessness in the legs
Burning pain
Throbbing pain
Itching
Leg cramps, particularly at night
Ankle swelling
Skin discoloration at the ankle
Skin ulcers above the ankle

Over time, complications can develop from untreated veins. These include:

Superficial phlebitis (painful inflammation of the vein)
Superficial thrombophlebitis (blood clots within the varicose veins)
Spontaneous vein hemorrhage (the vein can rupture spontaneously)
Skin discoloration and eczema around the ankle (venous eczema)
Skin sores or ulcers usually near the ankle

Duplex ultrasound technology is used to evaluate the veins beneath the surface of the skin. The ultrasound allows us to see if the valves are leaky; it can detect the direction of blood flow and also detects blockages in the veins, for example from blood clots or scars within the veins from previous clots. The ultrasound will determine exactly which veins are ‘bad’ or incompetent. Reflux may be detected in the deep veins (within the muscle), the great and small saphenous veins, and/or branches of the saphenous veins. This will help determine the treatment plan.

La Jolla Vein Care Before and After Transformations:

At La Jolla Vein Care, we are here for our patients from beginning to the end. We love seeing the transformations that take place. Below are a few cases from our patient transformations from before varicose vein treatment to after vein treatment.

Varicose Veins: Patient Transformations Part 2LJVascular2022-04-28T14:52:04-07:00

Varicose Veins and Swelling
Gallery

Varicose Veins and Swelling

LJVascular2022-04-28T14:48:10-07:00

Varicose Veins and Swelling

Leg swelling (is also known as edema), is a common complaint related to varicose veins and underlying venous insufficiency. It can be present simply from underlying venous insufficiency without visible signs of varicose veins or spider veins. As a result, a venous insufficiency study by duplex ultrasound scanning is part of the recommended work-up for this undesirable symptom. The swelling usually affects the ankles. Most people with vein-related symptoms, experience progressive swelling throughout the day, that is worse at night time and improved in the morning (they usually wake up with normal appearing legs in the morning but by night-time, shoes may feel tight.) When it is vein-related, it is worse at the end of the day, with prolonged standing, sitting or with air travel, heat and menstruation. The degree varies from one person to another.

Compression stockings and leg elevation will help reduce swelling. If the swelling can be attributed to the varicose veins or venous insufficiency, correction of the underlying vein problem will reduce it.

It is a common symptom of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. The legs often feel heavy. It is common to notice sock lines around the ankles by the end of the day.

Conservative management and lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms of varicose veins and swelling and help reduce complications such as thrombophlebitis (blood clots within veins) and vein rupture, but do not cause the veins to vanish. These measures are helpful if an individual is not a candidate for vein procedures or wishes to delay interventional treatment.

Varicose veins can cause swelling and at La Jolla Vein Care, we offer numerous treatments for our patients. Check out a few of our favorite treatments that help reduce the swelling and varicose veins. Please call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our vein specialists to help in reducing swelling and other varicose vein symptoms.

Varicose Veins and SwellingLJVascular2022-04-28T14:48:10-07:00

29, 4, 2022

What is VenaCure?
Gallery

What is VenaCure?

LJVascular2022-04-15T15:42:25-07:00

VenaCure is an endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedure for backwards flow (or “reflux”) in your saphenous vein(s).

VenaCure Laser is also referred to as endovenous laser ablation therapy (EVLT). The great and small saphenous veins are the two main superficial veins of the leg. They run along the inner leg and the back of the leg, respectively.

This minimally invasive procedure can be performed in the office in less than an hour and patients return to their usual level of activity the same day.

How does the VenaCure treatment work?

The skin is numbed with lidocaine, then a tiny wire and the laser catheter are inserted into the vein. The catheter delivers laser energy to the vein wall, causing it to seal shut. The remaining healthy veins continue to bring blood back to the heart.

The VenaCure procedure is performed with local anesthesia, but many patients elect to use a mild oral sedative (Valium), which is taken after checking in and completing all paperwork.

You will change into a gown and leave underwear on. Depending on the vein to be treated, you will lay on your back or on your belly. We do our best to make special accommodations (for example, if you cannot lie flat or cannot bend a knee very well) with body positioning and using pillows. We will do our best to make you comfortable. Then, we will give you the option of watching a movie on Netflix or listen to music. Once you are comfortable, your leg (s) will be prepped with a cleansing solution for the sterile procedure. The doctor will perform an ultrasound to map the vein (s) to be treated.

Then, a numbing agent (lidocaine) will be injected into the skin. In the numb area of the skin, a tiny puncture is made to pass the laser catheter under ultrasound guidance. Your doctor will then use a needle to administer a combination of cool saline and local anesthetic around the vein. This solution numbs the vein and insulates it from the surrounding tissue. Laser energy will then be used to painlessly treat the vein.

Videos of the treatment, as well as after care instructions can be found on our website and our YouTube channel.

What is VenaCure?LJVascular2022-04-15T15:42:25-07:00

Understanding Venous Disease: Venous Ulcers
Gallery

Understanding Venous Disease: Venous Ulcers

LJVascular2022-04-23T14:20:59-07:00

Understanding Venous Disease: Venous Ulcers

A venous leg ulcer is the most severe form of chronic venous insufficiency. This is referred to as a ‘venous leg ulcer.’ Venous ulcers of the leg make up 70% of all chronic leg wounds. Therefore, a venous leg ulcer is much more common than a diabetic or arterial ulcer. It is caused by long-standing pressure within the leg veins, resulting from 1) venous reflux through faulty valves, 2) a blockage within the deep veins or 3) from the inability to use the calf muscles or a combination. Venous reflux is the most common cause of a venous leg ulcer. The increased pressure within the leg veins (we call this venous hypertension) causes an inflammatory response. Inflammation then causes changes in the skin, usually around the ankles (this is where pressure is the greatest). The inflammatory process will cause the skin around the ankles to become brown or discolored, and eventually, the skin will break open. The leg wound can be healed by treating the underlying vein condition. Venous ulcers on the leg can also be prevented by early intervention with non-invasive procedures. If you have signs of chronic venous insufficiency (such as skin discoloration around the ankles) you should address your underlying vein condition to prevent the skin from breaking open.

Before and after treatment of a venous ulcers.

Venous leg ulcers make up 70% of all chronic leg wounds. They usually occur in the inner ankle or outer ankle locations.

The treatment of venous leg ulcers is to correct the underlying problem: the faulty veins. Treatment of the underlying non-functional veins will reduce pressure from venous hypertension, allowing the wound to heal. There are a number of non-surgical treatment options that can accomplish this including foam sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation, depending on the affected veins. To determine if your leg wound is related to a vein problem or for treatment options, call us for more information.

Understanding Venous Disease: Venous UlcersLJVascular2022-04-23T14:20:59-07:00

3 Reasons to Wear Compression Stockings
Gallery

3 Reasons to Wear Compression Stockings

LJVascular2022-04-15T15:40:11-07:00

Why Compression Stockings:

Compression stockings are an important part of the overall healing process. As a result, you’ll need to wear the stockings following the vein treatments from La Jolla Vein Care to ensure you get the best outcomes. Physiologically, compression therapy increases venous blood flow back to the heart, reduces reflux in diseased veins, increases venous blood flow, reduces elevated water content of the tissue, reduces inflammation, and sustains reparative processes. In short, compression therapy not only improves results after treatment, but it also improves blood flow and reduces symptoms and swelling in the legs.

Compression stockings offer style after vein treatment:

In the past, patients recovering from varicose vein treatments were limited in both mobility and style. After a procedure, patients were required to wear compression stockings in a lovely shade of beige. This might work if you’re looking to hang around the house for a couple months. If you’re ready to live an active life while you heal, however, you can get medical grade compression stockings that are fashionable, stylish, and comfortable. At La Jolla Vein Care, you get more than a safe and effective alternative to surgery—you get access to customized compression stockings in a variety of styles from the leading brands, including Sigvaris, Medi, ComfoMed, Ames Walker, and JOBST. While we are more than happy to order beige stockings for you, it’s good to know that you have options—the option to look good, feel good, and heal in style.

Compression stockings help prevent deep vein thrombosis:

Stay moving, avoid prolonged sitting. For example, when flying or traveling, the risk of DVT is 1% on a long haul flight (greater than 6 hours).

To minimize this risk, you should wear compression stockings (which helps increase the blood flow in the legs), stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, use the calf muscles- walk about the cabin and frequently pump the calf muscles by doing foot lifts.

During pregnancy, compression should be worn and after pregnancy, when the risk of DVT is highest (the likelihood of a blood clot postpartum is 40-65 for every 10,000 women).

Compression stockings increase athletic performance:

Compression is known for improving circulation after the removal of varicose veins. But can they improve athletic performance? The answer is a resounding yes. According to Medi, compression sport stockings are clinically proven to increase performance. Over the course of a marathon, for example, running time is reduced by approximately five minutes while the exertion on your muscles is reduced by roughly six percent. Moreover, a study by Technische Universität Dresden reveals that blood circulation is 30% higher at rest after engaging in certain athletic activities when wearing compression sport stockings. So whether you’re a jogger checking out the scenery or a hard-core athlete training for a marathon, there’s something to help you reach your peak.

3 Reasons to Wear Compression StockingsLJVascular2022-04-15T15:40:11-07:00

La Jolla Vein and Vascular welcomes Jodi Hirsch, PA-C
Gallery

La Jolla Vein and Vascular welcomes Jodi Hirsch, PA-C

LJVascular2022-04-23T14:24:17-07:00

La Jolla Vein and Vascular welcomes Jodi Hirsch, PA-C

Jodi Hirsch PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant who has spent her career specializing in the field of peripheral vascular disease and venous disease. She gained her undergraduate degree in chemistry and pursued her degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro University in NY in 2006. She has spent her professional career in San Diego, previously working in the Department of Vascular Surgery at Scripps. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little boys.

For more information please watch Jodi’s video here.

La Jolla Vein and Vascular welcomes Jodi Hirsch, PA-CLJVascular2022-04-23T14:24:17-07:00

La Jolla Vein & Vascular welcomes Dr. Elliot DeYoung, M.D.
Gallery

La Jolla Vein & Vascular welcomes Dr. Elliot DeYoung, M.D.

LJVascular2022-04-23T14:16:23-07:00

La Jolla Vein & vascular welcomes our newest doctor at the La Jolla location, Dr. Elliot DeYoung, MD.

Dr. Elliot DeYoung is a board-certified interventional radiologist who has spent his career focused on minimally invasive procedures. He completed his training at University of California, San Diego where he specialized in vascular interventions and served on the patient safety committee. Dr. DeYoung’s expertise spans vascular disease from angioplasty and stenting to embolization and ablation. He values thorough patient education and the continuity of patient care.

Dr. DeYoung is excited about joining La Jolla Vein & Vascular team to continue its renowned venous care. He will lead the center in the expansion of vascular services to provide crucial out-patient care to the community. The practice is enthusiastic to offer treatments for peripheral arterial disease, may thurners, and uterine fibroids.

Dr. DeYoung received his bachelor’s degree from USC in Psychology followed by his medical degree from the University of Sydney, School of Medicine. He initially trained as a General Surgery resident in New York before transitioning his training to Interventional Radiology in San Diego. He has a passion for water sports and his free time is spent enjoying the outdoors with his family.

Dr. DeYoung is looking forward to treating your vascular needs at La Jolla Vein & Vascular.

Dr. DeYoung is a vascular specialist with focus on aortic and peripheral vascular disease, pelvic congestion syndrome, and interventional oncology. His skills include varicocele embolization, venous interventions, uterine fibroid embolization, prostate artery embolization, and genicular artery embolization.

Please check out Dr DeYoung’s video for more information.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular welcomes Dr. Elliot DeYoung, M.D.LJVascular2022-04-23T14:16:23-07:00

A deeper look into chronic venous insufficiency
Gallery

A deeper look into chronic venous insufficiency

LJVascular2022-04-15T15:36:06-07:00

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an inflammatory condition caused by long standing, untreated venous reflux disease. Commonly, venous reflux disease causes a collection of symptoms such as leg swelling, heaviness, fatigue and varicose veins. But, over time, when blood is no longer circulating properly in the leg veins, skin changes can also appear. When skin changes appear, this is termed, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Venous stasis is another term used for this condition. Chronic inflammation from CVI causes the skin around the ankles to darken, become dry, itchy, and firm. In severe cases, the skin can start to break down and ulcerate. The ulcer (wound) occurs in the inner or outer ankle and is also referred to as a stasis ulcer or venous ulcer.

Venous stasis skin changes associated with venous insufficiency include:

Darkening of the skin along the ankles
Itching and dry skin around the ankles (venous eczema)
Development of wounds around the ankles, called venous leg ulcers

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is progressive and worsens over time.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is also known as venous stasis, or venous incompetence. Venous reflux disease refers to ‘leaky valves in the veins of the legs. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins. The deep veins are those within the muscle; they bring at least 80-90% of the blood from the legs back to the heart. The superficial veins are outside of the muscle and under the skin. The main superficial veins are the Great Saphenous Vein that courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein, which courses up the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. Symptoms include leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins) , restless legs at night, and night cramps. Venous reflux disease is progressive and worsens over time. Skin changes may also develop, including darkening of the skin around the ankles. The darkening of the skin is sometimes referred to as skin changes. The skin can become dry and itchy (venous eczema). Eventually, the skin can break down causing a wound, called a venous leg ulcer.

A deeper look into chronic venous insufficiencyLJVascular2022-04-15T15:36:06-07:00

5, 5, 2022

Types of Non-Healing Ulcers

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

–Circulatory System Issues

–Underlying Health Conditions

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

Contributing Lifestyle Habits

Non-Healing Ulcers & Wounds

Types of Non-Healing Ulcers

What are varicose veins?

Varicose Veins are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. They are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body, and are very common.

What are the symptoms?

29, 4, 2022

VenaCure is an endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedure for backwards flow (or “reflux”) in your saphenous vein(s).

How does the VenaCure treatment work?

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

Venous stasis skin changes associated with venous insufficiency include:

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

North County San Diego/ Vista
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments